Press Releases from May 2009http://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05
Department of Commerce NewsenCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Encourages Americans to Act Now to Receive TV Converter Box Coupons Before June 12 Digital TV Switchhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/28/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-encourages-americans-act-now-receive-tv
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Thursday, May 28, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Encourages Americans to Act Now to Receive TV Converter Box Coupons Before June 12 Digital TV Switch</strong></p>
<p>U..S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke today urged Americans who need help getting ready for the national switch to digital television (DTV) to apply for a converter box coupon no later than Monday, June 1, in order to receive it before the June 12 transition.</p>
<p>Consumers who have TVs connected to cable, satellite, or another pay TV service are ready for the transition to digital. If they don&rsquo;t prepare, consumers who rely on free, over-the-air TV and use &ldquo;rabbit ears&rdquo; or a rooftop antenna with a television that uses an analog tuner, will lose television service on June 12.</p>
<p>"Time is running out. Americans who rely on free television who aren&rsquo;t prepared for the transition should apply for a coupon today if they need help purchasing a converter box so they can continue receiving the television programming they count on," Locke said. "If you are ready for digital television, check with friends and family to make sure they are ready too.</p>
<p>In addition to offering consumers a clearer picture and more programming choices, the transition to digital will free up the airwaves for better communications among emergency first responders and offer advanced wireless services for consumers.</p>
<p>There are several options that consumers have to get ready for the transition including: subscribing to cable, satellite or another pay service; buying a television with a digital tuner; or purchasing a TV converter box.</p>
<p>The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $650 million to help unprepared Americans get ready for the transition from analog to digital television. The money has allowed the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to eliminate a waiting list for coupons. Eligible households can receive up to two $40 coupons toward the purchase of certified converter boxes, which enable older televisions to continue working after the switch to digital broadcasting.</p>
<p>In addition, NTIA&rsquo;s TV Converter Box Coupon Program now processes and mails coupons in about nine business days. As a result, consumers who apply for coupons prior to June 1 are likely, though not guaranteed, to receive their coupons in advance of the June 12 transition date.</p>
<p>Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed and have the expiration date printed on them. Consumers may reapply for coupons only if their previously issued coupons expired without being redeemed.</p>
<p>Consumers can call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit <a href="http://www.dtv2009.gov/" target="_top">www.DTV2009.gov</a> for more information or to request a coupon.</p>Press ReleasesBusiness Converter BoxCouponsNationalRecoverySatelliteTelecommunicationsNational Telecommunications and Information AdministrationOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeThu, 28 May 2009 17:02:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11854 at http://www.commerce.govU.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $19.5 Million More for Ike/Gustav Recovery Effortshttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/28/us-commerce-secretary-gary-locke-announces-195-million-more-ikegustav
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Thursday, May 28, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $19.5 Million More for Ike/Gustav Recovery Efforts</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced an additional $19.5 million in Economic Development Administration (EDA) investments to aid the ongoing economic recovery following the devastation caused last year by hurricanes Ike and Gustav. </p>
<p>Last week, the Obama Administration announced $20.9 million of investments for the Gulf Coast region to assist in the recovery.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The Obama Administration is committed to creating jobs, encouraging innovation and improving our nation&rsquo;s competitiveness,&rdquo; Locke said. &ldquo;Hurricanes Ike and Gustav devastated the Gulf Coast region. These investments will enhance the region&rsquo;s competiveness, improve productivity and create jobs.</p>
<p>&ldquo;These grants show President Obama&rsquo;s continued commitment to working with the Gulf Coast region to assure that the business community is rebuilt and critical jobs are restored.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The investments announced today include:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li> $10 million for the Texas Medical Branch at Galveston to help create jobs and boost private investment by making building improvements needed to increase the efficiency and productivity of the university&rsquo;s biomedical incubator.</li>
<li> $4 million for the Port of Orange to aid economic recovery by developing a trans-modal containerized logistics area. The grant will facilitate the transfer of containers onto barges as products are prepared for export and will provide tremendous cost savings by reducing transportation costs. The project is expected to save or create more than 50 jobs in the region, according to grantee estimates.</li>
<li> $3 million for the Trinity Bay Conservation District of Anahuac, Texas, to spur economic recovery by building the infrastructure needed to develop the Interstate Highway 10 industrial corridor.</li>
<li> $2.5 million for Nassau Bay, Texas, to build the infrastructure needed to develop the Nassau Bay town square commercial center, which will attract new industry and jobs. The project is expected to create 495 jobs and generate $150 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Department of Commerce is a voice for Main Street businesses. It focuses on creating jobs by fostering innovation and opening markets to U.S. products. Locke is a key member of President Barack Obama&rsquo;s economic team.</p>
<p>EDA is an agency within the U.S. Commerce Department and supports the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States.Its mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.</p>
<p>Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at <a href="http://www.eda.gov/" target="_top">http://www.eda.gov</a>.</p>Press ReleasesBarack ObamaBusiness CoastCompetitivenessDevelopmentEconomyGrantsGrowthGulfInnovationJobsMissionObamaPresident ObamaProductsRecoveryRegionTexasUnited StatesEconomic Development AdministrationOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeThu, 28 May 2009 15:48:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11855 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges Los Angeles Residents to Prepare for June 12 Switch to Digital Televisionhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/27/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-urges-los-angeles-residents-prepare-jun
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Wednesday, May 27, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges Los Angeles Residents to Prepare for June 12 Switch to Digital Television</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke joined Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center today to urge residents to prepare for the national switch to digital television (DTV) before the June 12 deadline. In the final month before the national switch, the Commerce Department is increasing its outreach efforts into communities that have been identified as the least prepared for the transition, including the Los Angeles area. While the city has made progress since February&mdash;the original date for the switch&mdash;Los Angeles is still among the least-prepared cities in the country, according to Nielsen data.</p>
<p>In addition to offering consumers a clearer picture and more programming choices, the transition also will free up the airwaves for better communications among emergency first responders and offer advanced wireless services for consumers.</p>
<p>&ldquo;With just two weeks to go, Los Angeles residents who haven&rsquo;t prepared for the June 12 transition need to act now so they will be able to continue to receive the television programming they count on,&rdquo; Locke said. &ldquo;I commend Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for their work to help educate Los Angeles residents about the upcoming digital transition. If you&rsquo;re already prepared for the switch to digital TV, make sure your friends and family are ready, too.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Consumers who have TVs connected to cable, satellite, or another pay TV service are ready for the transition to digital. If they don&rsquo;t prepare, consumers who rely on free, over-the-air TV and use &ldquo;rabbit ears&rdquo; or a rooftop antenna with a television that uses an analog tuner, will lose television service on June 12. There are several options that consumers have to get ready for the transition including: subscribing to cable, satellite or another pay service; buying a television with a digital tuner; or purchasing a TV converter box.</p>
<p>If you choose to buy a converter box, you can apply to Commerce&rsquo;s TV Converter Box Coupon Program for coupons to help toward the purchase. </p>
<p>&ldquo;If you need help toward the purchase of the converter box, I urge you to apply for a coupon before June 1 to ensure you receive them before the switch,&rdquo; Locke said. &ldquo;Eligible households can receive up to two $40 coupons, which cover most of the cost.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The president&rsquo;s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $650 million to help millions of unprepared Americans get ready for the transition from analog to digital television. The money funded the creation of an additional 12.25 million coupons to help consumers offset the cost of buying digital-to-analog converter boxes and has allowed the Commerce Department&rsquo;s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to eliminate the waiting list for coupons. </p>
<p>During the final weeks before the end of analog broadcasting, NTIA will focus its outreach efforts on targeted communities that are lagging in DTV preparedness. NTIA will send mobile assistance centers to Los Angeles and other targeted cities where staff will help consumers apply for coupons toward the purchase of DTV converter boxes and learn how to install the boxes. </p>
<p>In addition, the Commerce Department is running a series of public service announcements on buses, transit shelters and benches; airing radio ads in both Spanish and English; and planning to launch a text message campaign to raise awareness about how to prepare for the transition.</p>
<p>Consumers can call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit <a href="http://www.dtv2009.gov/" target="_top">www.DTV2009.gov</a> for more information or to request a coupon. </p>Press ReleasesCityConverter BoxCouponsDataNationalRecoverySatelliteTechnologyTelecommunicationsNational Telecommunications and Information AdministrationOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeWed, 27 May 2009 18:10:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11856 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges Sacramento Residents to Prepare for June 12 Switch to Digital Televisionhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/26/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-urges-sacramento-residents-prepare-june
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Tuesday, May 26, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges Sacramento Residents to Prepare for June 12 Switch to Digital Television</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke joined Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Mayor Kevin Johnson at the Sacramento public library today to urge residents to prepare for the national switch to digital television (DTV) before the June 12 deadline. In the final month before the national switch, the Commerce Department is increasing its outreach efforts into communities that have been identified as the least prepared for the transition, including the Sacramento area. While the city has made progress since February&mdash;the original date for the switch&mdash;Sacramento is among the top 10 least-prepared cities in the country, according to Nielsen data.</p>
<p>&ldquo;With just two weeks to go, Sacramento residents who haven&rsquo;t prepared for the June 12 transition need to act now so they will be able to continue to receive the television programming they count on,&rdquo; Locke said. &ldquo;I commend Congresswoman Matsui and Mayor Johnson for their work to help educate Sacramento residents about the upcoming digital transition. If you&rsquo;re already prepared for the switch to digital TV, make sure your friends and family are ready, too.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Consumers who have TVs connected to cable, satellite, or another pay TV service are ready for the transition to digital. If they don&rsquo;t prepare, consumers who rely on free, over-the-air TV and use &ldquo;rabbit ears&rdquo; or a rooftop antenna with a television that uses an analog tuner will lose television service on June 12. There are several options that consumers have to get ready for the transition including: subscribing to cable, satellite or another pay service; buying a television with a digital tuner, or purchasing a TV converter box.</p>
<p>If you choose to buy a converter box, you can apply to Commerce&rsquo;s TV Converter Box Coupon Program for coupons to help toward the purchase.</p>
<p>&ldquo;If you need help toward the purchase of the converter box, I urge you to apply for a coupon before June 1 to ensure you receive them before the switch,&rdquo; Locke said. &ldquo;Eligible households can receive up to two $40 coupons, which cover most of the cost.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The president&rsquo;s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $650 million to help millions of unprepared Americans get ready for the transition from analog to digital television. The money funded the creation of an additional 12.25 million coupons to help consumers offset the cost of buying digital-to-analog converter boxes and has allowed the Commerce Department&rsquo;s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to eliminate the waiting list for coupons.</p>
<p>During the final weeks before the end of analog broadcasting, NTIA will focus its outreach efforts on targeted communities that are lagging in DTV preparedness. NTIA will send mobile assistance centers to Sacramento and other targeted cities, where staff will help consumers apply for coupons toward the purchase of DTV converter boxes and learn how to install the boxes.</p>
<p>In addition, the Commerce Department is running a series of public service announcements on buses, transit shelters and benches; airing radio ads in both Spanish and English; and planning to launch a text message campaign to raise awareness about how to prepare for the transition.</p>
<p>Consumers can call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit <a href="http://www.dtv2009.gov/" target="_top">www.DTV2009.gov</a> for more information or to request a coupon.</p>Press ReleasesCityConverter BoxCouponsDataNationalRecoverySatelliteTelecommunicationsNational Telecommunications and Information AdministrationOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeTue, 26 May 2009 19:00:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11857 at http://www.commerce.govBlank Confirmed as Top Economic Advisor to Commerce Secretaryhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/26/blank-confirmed-top-economic-advisor-commerce-secretary
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Tuesday, May 26, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Blank Confirmed as Top Economic Advisor to Commerce Secretary</strong></p>
<p>Rebecca Blank, Ph.D, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate May 21 as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs. As the Economic Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce, and head of the Economic and Statistics Administration (ESA), Dr. Blank will also have management responsibility for the two top statistical agencies in the United States, the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).</p>
<p>&ldquo;In Dr. Blank, we have the right person to handle a series of looming challenges,&rdquo; Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. &ldquo;She will help the Census Bureau conduct an accurate and complete count in the 2010 Census, and I&rsquo;m relying on her to provide sound economic data and analysis to guide the nation through the worst economic crisis in 60 years.&rdquo;</p>
<p>ESA provides broad and targeted economic data analyses and forecasts for use by government agencies and businesses, and develops domestic and international economic policy. The remaining parts of the statistical family, the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, produce the most widely recognized data sources on the American people and U.S. businesses.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It is an honor to have been nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve in this position,&rdquo; Blank said.</p>
<p>Blank, a native of Missouri, is a summa cum laude graduate in Economics from the University of Minnesota, and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from MIT. She was dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan and co-director of the National Poverty Center. Dr. Blank served as a member of President Clinton&rsquo;s Council of Economic Advisers. She has also has taught economics at Northwestern University and Princeton and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Lifetime Associate at the National Academies of Science.</p>
<p>The Robert S. Kerr Fellow at the Brookings Institution since 2008, Dr Blank&rsquo;s research has focused on the interactions between the macro-economy, government policy, and the behavior and well-being of American families. Her 1997 book, <em>It takes a Nation: A New Agenda for Fighting Poverty</em>, won the Richard A. Lester Prize for Outstanding Book in Labor Economics and Industrial Relations. Congressman John Dingell said in remarks submitted for Blank&rsquo;s nomination, &ldquo;Dr Blank understands the lamentably conspicuous rise in economic inequality and the concurrent growth of social inequality that have plagued our nation of late.&rdquo; Blank addresses some of these issues in her most recent collaboration, <em>Insufficient Funds: Savings, Assets Credit, and Banking Among Low-Income Families</em>, (co-edited with Michael Barr, Russell Sage Press, 2009).</p>
<p>&ldquo;I believe the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs to be one of the best agency jobs available,&rdquo; said Blank at her recent confirmation hearing.</p>
<p>She oversees nearly 13,000 permanent employees in the combined bureaus, and will help direct the largest peace-time mobilization in history for the 2010 Census. Dr. Blank will lead a distinguished group of economists, statisticians, demographers and data gathers who share her enthusiasm for collecting and analyzing the best possible economic data for the nation.</p>Press ReleasesAnalysisDataEconomicsEconomyGovernment GrowthInternationalJobsMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNationalResearchScienceStatisticsUnited StatesBureau of Economic AnalysisBureau of the CensusEconomics and Statistics AdministrationNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeTue, 26 May 2009 16:00:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11858 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Canada's Minister of Industry Tony Clementhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/21/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-meets-canadas-minister-industry-tony-cl
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Thursday, May 21, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Canada&rsquo;s Minister of Industry Tony Clement</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted a meeting with Canada&rsquo;s Minister of Industry Tony Clement at the Commerce Department today. This was the first meeting between Minister Clement and Secretary Locke. </p>
<p>Secretary Locke and Minister Clement expressed support for the continued development of U.S.-Canada cooperation as a means of deepening our economic relationship.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The economic downturn has underlined the importance of the special relationship between our two countries,&rdquo; Locke said. &ldquo;The United States will continue to work closely with Canada, our largest trading partner, to increase North American competitiveness.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Secretary Locke voiced his appreciation for Canada&rsquo;s cooperation in helping the automotive industry take the necessary steps to survive the current crisis, and cited this as a positive model for the two countries in working towards common goals and objectives.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The U.S. remains committed to preserving this important industry,&rdquo; Locke said. &ldquo;We are convinced that the steps we have spelled out for the autos sector are necessary for the industry to emerge from this crisis and compete in the global marketplace.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Secretary also raised concerns about copyright protection in Canada and encouraged the introduction of legislation that will better protect intellectual property in Canada. </p>Press ReleasesCanadaCompetitivenessDevelopmentGlobalIntellectual propertyMarketplaceUnited StatesOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeThu, 21 May 2009 17:04:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11859 at http://www.commerce.govLocke, Chu Announce Significant Steps in Smart Grid Developmenthttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/18/locke-chu-announce-significant-steps-smart-grid-development
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Monday, May 18, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Locke, Chu Announce Significant Steps in Smart Grid Development</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced significant progress that will help expedite development of a nationwide &ldquo;smart&rdquo; electric power grid.</p>
<p>A Smart Grid would replace the current, outdated system and employ real-time, two-way communication technologies to allow users to connect directly with power suppliers. The development of the grid will create jobs and spur the development of innovative products that can be exported. Once implemented, the Smart Grid is expected to save consumers money and reduce America&rsquo;s dependence on foreign oil by improving efficiency and spurring the use of renewable energy sources.</p>
<p>Before it can be constructed, however, there needs to be agreement on standards for the devices that will connect the grid.</p>
<p>After chairing a meeting of industry leaders at the White House, Locke and Chu announced the first set of standards that are needed for the interoperability and security of the Smart Grid and $10 million in Recovery Act funds provided by the Energy Department to the Commerce Department&rsquo;s National Institute of Standards and Technology to support the development of interoperability standards </p>
<p>Secretary Chu also announced that based on feedback from the public and Smart Grid stakeholders, the Department of Energy is increasing the maximum award available under the Recovery Act for Smart Grid programs. The maximum award available under the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program will be increased from $20 million to $200 million and for the Smart Grid Demonstration Projects from $40 million to $100 million. In making awards, DOE will ensure that funding is provided to a diversity of applications, including small projects as well as end-to-end larger projects.</p>
<p>&ldquo;President Obama has made a smart electrical grid a key element of his plan to lower energy costs for consumers, achieve energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,&rdquo; Secretary Locke said. &ldquo;Today, we took a significant step toward developing the standards necessary to realize the Smart Grid vision.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;The Smart Grid is an urgent national priority that requires all levels of government as well as industry to cooperate,&rdquo; Secretary Chu said. &ldquo;I'm pleased that industry leaders stepped forward today and are working with us to get consensus. We still have much to do, but the ultimate result will be a much more efficient, flexible power grid and the opportunity to dramatically increase our use of renewable energy.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Today&rsquo;s meeting was designed to encourage industry executives to work to expedite the adoption of standards in advance of a major two-day, public standards workshop tomorrow in metro Washington, DC.</p>
<p>The initial batch of 16 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-recognized interoperability standards announced today will help ensure that software and hardware components from different vendors will work together seamlessly, while securing the grid against disruptions.</p>
<p>Spanning areas ranging from smart customer meters to distributed power generation components to cybersecurity, the list of standards is based on the consensus expressed by participants in the first public Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Interim Roadmap workshop, held April 28-29 in Reston, Va. A full list of the announced standards is attached below.</p>
<p>The Energy Department also announced that the $10 million it received to support the development of interoperability standards under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been transferred to NIST to help accelerate their efforts to coordinate these critical standards.</p>
<p>Public comments on the initial standards will be accepted for 30 days after their upcoming publication in the Federal Register. The date of publication will be posted on <a href="http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid/" target="_top">http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid/</a>.</p>
<p>Comments may be submitted to <a href=/contact/smartgrid/nist/gov target="_top">smartgrid[at]nist[dot]gov</a>. </p>
<p>The Energy Department is the lead federal agency responsible for Smart Grid development. Creating national standards is a critical part of that process. Coordinating these standards and achieving industry buy-in is the responsibility of the Commerce Department. This meeting is part of an aggressive three-phase plan recently launched by the Commerce Department to expedite standards development.</p>Press ReleasesCybersecurityDevelopmentGovernment InteroperabilityJobsNationalObamaPresident ObamaProductsRecoveryTechnologyWashingtonWhite HouseNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeMon, 18 May 2009 18:01:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11861 at http://www.commerce.govSecretary Locke Statement on National Travel and Tourism Weekhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/15/secretary-locke-statement-national-travel-and-tourism-week
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Friday, May 15, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Secretary Locke Statement on National Travel and Tourism Week</strong><br /></p>
<p>Last year, a record 58 million travelers visited the United States to conduct business, see family and friends, and experience our big cities, small towns and incredible natural wonders. As we celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, we are reminded that the industry benefits every state and U.S. territory, employing more than eight million workers across the country. </p>
<p>The Department of Commerce is committed to boosting to people of all nations U.S. travel and tourism by developing programs to promote the industry, capturing data on its economic impact, and advocating on behalf of travel and tourism in the United States and abroad.</p>Press ReleasesEconomic NewsBenefitsBusiness DataNationalStateTourismTravelUnited StatesOffice of the SecretaryFri, 15 May 2009 23:58:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11862 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Indonesia's Minister Of Trade Dr. Mari Elka Pangestuhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/14/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-meets-indonesias-minister-trade-dr-mari
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Thursday, May 14, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Indonesia's Minister Of Trade Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted a meeting with Indonesia&rsquo;s Minister of Trade Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu at the Commerce Department today. This was the first meeting between Minister Pangestu and Secretary Locke.</p>
<p>The pair expressed support for expanding U.S.-Indonesia economic and trade relations as a means of deepening the overall bilateral relationship.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We look forward to establishing a comprehensive partnership between our two countries,&rdquo; Locke said. &ldquo;As the world&rsquo;s oldest and fourth-largest democracies respectively, the United States and Indonesia should draw upon shared interests to expand trade, development, and security in the critical Pacific Rim region and beyond.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Locke expressed his support for the Commerce Department&rsquo;s ongoing cooperation with the government of Indonesia, and cited this as a positive model for promoting U.S. exports in the future.</p>
<p>The secretary also raised U.S. concerns about recent regulations which have had a negative impact on the trade and investment climate in Indonesia and encouraged Indonesia to resist raising barriers to open markets amidst the global economic downturn. Secretary Locke expressed his support for continued Commerce Department cooperation with the Government of Indonesia in a wide variety of areas, including enhanced protection for intellectual property rights. </p>Press ReleasesClimateDevelopmentExportsGlobalGovernment IndonesiaIntellectual propertyRegionRegulationsTradeUnited StatesOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeThu, 14 May 2009 22:46:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11864 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges Seattle Residents to Prepare for June 12 Switch to Digital Televisionhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/13/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-urges-seattle-residents-prepare-june-12
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Wednesday, May 13, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges Seattle Residents to Prepare for June 12 Switch to Digital Television </strong><br /></p>
<p><em>Commerce to Increase Outreach to Seattle Area During Final 30 Days</em></p>
<p>U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke is urging Seattle residents to prepare for the national switch to digital television (DTV) before the June 12 deadline, which is less than 30 days away. In the final month before the national switch, the Commerce Department is increasing its outreach efforts into communities that have been identified as the least prepared for the transition, including the Seattle area. </p>
<p>&ldquo;With less than 30 days to go, Seattle residents who haven&rsquo;t prepared for the transition need to act now so they will be able to continue to receive the television programming they count on for important news and emergency information,&rdquo; said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. &ldquo;The Department of Commerce is aggressively reaching out to the most unprepared communities across the country, including Seattle, to help them get ready for the June 12 national switch. I commend Councilmember Bruce Harrell and the entire Seattle City Council for their work to help educate Seattle residents about the upcoming digital transition. If you&rsquo;re already prepared for the switch to digital TV, make sure your friends and family are ready, too.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Consumers who have TVs connected to cable, satellite or another pay TV service are ready for the transition to digital. Consumers who rely on free, over-the-air TV and use &ldquo;rabbit ears&rdquo; or a rooftop antenna with a television that uses an analog tuner will lose television service on June 12 if they don&rsquo;t prepare. There are several options that consumers have to get ready for the transition including: subscribing to cable, satellite or another pay service; buying a television with a digital tuner, or purchasing a TV converter box.</p>
<p>The president&rsquo;s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $650 million to help millions of unprepared Americans get ready for the transition from analog to digital television. The money funded the creation of an additional 12.25 million coupons to help consumers offset the cost of buying digital-to-analog converter boxes and has allowed the Commerce Department&rsquo;s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to eliminate the waiting list for coupons. </p>
<p>During the final month before the end of analog broadcasting, NTIA will focus its outreach efforts on targeted communities that are lagging in DTV preparedness. NTIA will send mobile assistance centers to Seattle and other targeted cities, where staff will help consumers apply for coupons toward the purchase of DTV converter boxes and learn how to install the boxes. </p>
<p>In addition, the Commerce Department is running Public Service Announcements in buses, transit shelters, and benches; airing radio ads in both Spanish and English; and is planning to launch a text message campaign to raise awareness about how to prepare for the transition.</p>
<p>Consumers can call 1-888-DTV-2009 for more information or to request a coupon.</p>Press ReleasesCityConverter BoxCouponsNationalRecoverySatelliteTelecommunicationsNational Telecommunications and Information AdministrationOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeThu, 14 May 2009 00:07:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11865 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Korea's Trade Minister Kim Jong-Hoonhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/13/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-meets-koreas-trade-minister-kim-jong-ho
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Wednesday, May 13, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Korea&rsquo;s Trade Minister Kim Jong-Hoon</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted a meeting with South Korea&rsquo;s Minister for Trade Kim Jong-Hoon at the Commerce Department today. This was the first meeting between Minister Kim and Secretary Locke.</p>
<p>Secretary Locke and Minister Kim recognized the importance of the $83 billion in goods trade between the two countries in 2008. They expressed support for continuing to deepen cooperation on trade and investment issues.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Korea, with a $1 trillion economy, is our eighth largest export market, and the Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring that U.S. companies can compete and win in this vibrant Asian market,&rdquo; said Secretary Locke. &ldquo;Our goal is to strengthen and expand the U.S.-Korea commercial relationship to increase trade and create more jobs at home.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Secretary Locke and Minister Kim agreed that the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement has the potential to provide significant economic and strategic benefits to both countries, and committed to work together to find a way forward. The U.S.-Korea FTA was signed on June 30, 2007 and will require Congressional approval. In 2008, the United States exported nearly $35 billion in goods to Korea, and economic studies estimate that the FTA, once implemented, would generate billions of dollars in additional U.S. exports.</p>Press ReleasesBenefitsCompanies EconomyExportsJobsTradeUnited StatesOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeWed, 13 May 2009 22:09:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11866 at http://www.commerce.govU.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Statement on April Retail Sales Numbershttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/13/us-commerce-secretary-gary-locke-statement-april-retail-sales-numbers
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Wednesday, May 13, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Statement on April Retail Sales Numbers</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement on the release of the April 2009 U.S. Retail and Food Services Sales by the Commerce Department&rsquo;s U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Today&rsquo;s report showed that U.S. nominal retail sales fell 0.4% in April. Excluding motor vehicles and parts, retail sales fell 0.5% after falling 1.2% in March.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Although retail sales declined slightly in April, they stayed above a recent low in December&mdash;and the jump in consumer attitudes about the economic outlook is a positive development. But even as Americans feel better about the direction of the economy, and the stimulus package is beginning to put people back to work, the decline in sales indicates just how difficult the economic environment remains.&rdquo;</p>Press ReleasesEconomic NewsAnalysisDeclineDevelopmentEconomyEnvironmentRetail salesBureau of Economic AnalysisOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeWed, 13 May 2009 18:12:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11867 at http://www.commerce.govU.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Statement on March 2009 Trade Numbershttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/12/us-commerce-secretary-gary-locke-statement-march-2009-trade-numbers
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Tuesday, May 12, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Statement on March 2009 Trade Numbers</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement on the release of the March 2009 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department&rsquo;s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Today&rsquo;s report showed that U.S. exports decreased by 2.4 percent to $123.6 billion since February 2009. Imports decreased 1.0 percent to $151.2 billion. Overall, the trade deficit grew 5.5 percent during the same time period.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Today&rsquo;s numbers are better than many economists predicted, and it&rsquo;s worth noting that the trade deficit is half of what it was in the first quarter of 2008. Still, they indicate just how difficult the global economic environment is. While we have begun to see a few promising shoots of green, there is still much work to be done.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The March trade data also underlines the importance of identifying new and growing markets for U.S. companies and actively promoting exports on their behalf. Exporting is integral to creating jobs and growing businesses, and ensuring U.S. industry is the strongest and most competitive in the world. The focus of the Commerce Department is to boost exports by promoting American products and working with the American businesses to strengthen our ability to compete in a global economy.&rdquo;</p>Press ReleasesEconomic NewsAnalysisCompanies DataEconomyEnvironmentExportsGlobalGoods and servicesImportsInternationalJobsProductsTradeBureau of Economic AnalysisBureau of the CensusOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeTue, 12 May 2009 20:05:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11869 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges Americans to Prepare for June 12 Switch to Digital Televisionhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/12/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-urges-americans-prepare-june-12-switch-
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Tuesday, May 12, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges Americans to Prepare for June 12 Switch to Digital Television</strong></p>
<p><em>Commerce to Increase Outreach to Most Unprepared Communities During Final 30 Days</em></p>
<p>U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke is urging Americans to prepare for the national switch to digital television (DTV) before the June 12 deadline&mdash;just 30 days from today. In the final month before the national switch, the Commerce Department is increasing its outreach efforts into communities that have been identified as the least prepared for the transition.</p>
<p>&ldquo;With just 30 days to go, Americans who haven&rsquo;t prepared for the transition to digital need to act now to ensure they will be able to continue to receive the television programming they count on,&rdquo; said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. &ldquo;We are aggressively reaching out to the most unprepared communities across the country to educate consumers and help them to get ready for the June 12 national switch.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The president&rsquo;s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $650 million to help millions of unprepared Americans get ready for the transition from analog to digital television. The money funded the creation of an additional 12.25 million coupons to help consumers offset the cost of buying digital-to-analog converter boxes and has allowed the Commerce Department&rsquo;s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to eliminate the waiting list for coupons.</p>
<p>During the final month before the end of analog broadcasting, NTIA will focus its outreach efforts on communities that are lagging in DTV preparedness. NTIA will send mobile assistance centers to more than two dozen cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas, where staff will help consumers apply for coupons toward the purchase of DTV converter boxes and learn how to install the boxes.</p>
<p>These cities include: Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Wash.; Boise, Idaho; San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, and Los Angeles, Calif.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Monroe, La.; Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and McAllen, Texas; Tulsa, Okla.; Joplin and St. Louis, Mo.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Des Moines, Iowa; Cleveland, Canton, and Akron, Ohio; Baltimore, Md.; and Indianapolis, Ind. </p>
<p>In addition, the Commerce Department is running Public Service Announcements in buses, transit shelters and benches; airing radio ads in both Spanish and English; and will launch a text message campaign to raise awareness about how to prepare for the transition.</p>Press ReleasesCityColoradoCouponsIdahoIowaMetropolitanNationalOhioRecoveryTelecommunicationsTexasUtahNational Telecommunications and Information AdministrationOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeTue, 12 May 2009 19:28:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11870 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Department Announces Key Legislative Affairs Appointmentshttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/05/commerce-department-announces-key-legislative-affairs-appointments
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Tuesday, May 5, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Department Announces Key Legislative Affairs Appointments</strong></p>
<p>The Commerce Department today announced several key legislative and intergovernmental affairs staff appointments. They join recently confirmed Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs April Boyd.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m confident this capable team will build on the strong relationships they have with members of Congress and governors and mayors throughout our country to help the Commerce Department further President Obama&rsquo;s agenda,&rdquo; Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. &ldquo;We will work to grow local economies and put people back to work by fostering innovation and opening markets to U.S. products and services.&rdquo;</p>
<p>See below for the full list of appointments announced today.</p>
<p><strong>Daraka Satcher&mdash;Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs</strong><br />
Satcher&rsquo;s management skills and his relationships with members of Congress and their staffs will be critical assets for the Commerce Department. He most recently served as Chief of Staff to Georgia U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson. He previously worked as legislative director to Congressman Harold Ford and legislative assistant to Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman John Spratt. Satcher grew up in Nashville and holds degrees from Morehouse College and Emory University School of Law. </p>
<p><strong>William A. Ramos&mdash;Director of Intergovernmental Affairs</strong><br />
Ramos most recently served as director of the Washington office of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. He previously served as a government relations and policy consultant for the YMCA of the USA. Ramos also worked as Director of Government Relations for America&rsquo;s Promise. He spent five years as the director of policy and legislation for the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners and worked as a fellow in the King County Executive&rsquo;s office with the National Urban Fellows Program. Ramos has worked in the Latino community and in communities of color for over two decades. Ramos earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Florida International University in 1985 and a Master of Public Administration at Bernard Baruch College &ndash; City University of New York in 2006.</p>
<p><strong>Courtney Gregoire&mdash;Director of Legislative Affairs</strong><br />
Gregoire&rsquo;s understanding of legislative procedure and substantive experience with international trade, economic development and NOAA budget and policy issues will be valuable assets for the Commerce Department. Gregoire recently served as legislative director and chief counsel for Senator Maria Cantwell. In that capacity, she developed and implemented the legislative agenda for Senator Cantwell in her roles on the Commerce, Finance, and Energy committees, and as Chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and the Coast Guard. She previously served as a fellow for United States Senator Max Baucus, and a policy assistant with the White House Domestic Policy Council. Gregoire graduated from Willamette University and Harvard Law School, and in 2000, was named a Harry S. Truman Scholar.</p>
<p><strong>Andrew Su&mdash;Legislative Specialist</strong><br />
Su joined the House Energy and Commerce Committee staff when Chairman Henry Waxman took the helm of the committee. Prior to that, Su spent 12 years with Waxman on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which has primary jurisdiction over the census bureau and interagency matters. Su holds a master&rsquo;s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.</p>
<p><strong>Victoria Tung&mdash;Legislative Specialist</strong><br />
Tung has a distinguished background in domestic policy issues and served as the first executive director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) for the last four years. In this capacity, she worked with 23 members of the bi-partisan and bi-cameral organization to advance the voice of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.Prior to her work with CAPAC, she worked for two years as a congressional fellow in Congressman Mike Honda&rsquo;s office. Tung was listed as one of Capitol Hill&rsquo;s top staffers in the National Journal&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Hill People&rdquo; in 2007. Tung graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in International Affairs. </p>
<p><strong>Jon Wright&mdash;Confidential Assistant</strong><br />
Wright served as the Obama campaign&rsquo;s Florida deputy political director during the 2008 general election. During the primaries, he was the campaign&rsquo;s Kentucky political director and worked field operations in Texas, New Mexico and Nevada. Wright also served as Governor Bill Richardson&rsquo;s deputy field director in Iowa and Nevada during the caucuses in those states. Wright holds a J.D. from Northern Kentucky University&rsquo;s Chase College of Law and is a Kentucky native.</p>Press ReleasesBudgetCityCoastCongressDevelopmentFisheriesFloridaGeorgiaGovernment InnovationInternationalIowaKentuckyLocalMexicoNationalNevadaObamaOceansPennsylvaniaPresident ObamaProductsScienceTexasTradeUnited StatesWashingtonWhite HouseBureau of the CensusNational Oceanic & Atmospheric AdministrationOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeTue, 05 May 2009 18:14:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11873 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikaihttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/05/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-meets-japans-minister-economy-trade-and
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Tuesday, May 5, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Japan&rsquo;s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikai</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted a meeting with Japan&rsquo;s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Toshihiro Nikai at the Commerce Department today. This was the first meeting between Minister Nikai and Secretary Locke.</p>
<p>Secretary Locke and Minister Nikai recognized the progress made by the Commerce Department and METI under the Joint Initiative for Enhanced U.S.-Japan Cooperation on Intellectual Property Rights and other global issues and expressed support for continuing to deepen cooperation on trade and investment issues.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It is important for the United States and Japan, as the two largest economies in the world, to show strong leadership during these challenging economic times,&rdquo; Secretary Locke said.</p>
<p>The two leaders also highlighted the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Commerce Department&rsquo;s National Institute of Standards and Technology and METI&rsquo;s National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology to strengthen cooperation on research and development in support of technical standards.</p>
<p>In addition, Secretary Locke and Minister Nikai discussed China&rsquo;s April 29 announcement on the <em>Adjustment of Implementation Requirements for Information Security Products</em>. They stressed the need for China to adhere to international norms in its information security rules.</p>Press ReleasesChinaDevelopmentEconomyGlobalInitiativeIntellectual propertyInternationalJapanNationalProductsResearchScienceTechnologyTradeUnited StatesNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeTue, 05 May 2009 18:00:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11874 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges China, Russia to End Ban on U.S. Porkhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/01/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-urges-china-russia-end-ban-us-pork
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Friday, May 1, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Urges China, Russia to End Ban on U.S. Pork</strong></p>
<p>In letters to his counterparts in China and Russia, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke urged the two countries to end their bans on American pork products. Locke further pressed his case during a meeting last night with Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong in Washington.</p>
<p>China and Russia suspended the import of American pork in the wake of the H1N1 flu outbreak. The restrictions were adopted despite the scientific community&rsquo;s assurances that H1N1 could not be transmitted by food. Taken together, the two countries account for nearly 20 percent of U.S. pork exports.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Government actions during this time of economic uncertainty and international concern about influenza must be based on scientific evidence,&rdquo; Locke states in the letters. &ldquo;There should be no restrictions on trade without cause.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I assure you that my family, like families across this country, continues to eat American pork. We have no reservations about its safety.&rdquo;</p>
<p>China and Russia are among a number of countries that have banned U.S. pork products despite assurances from the World Health Organization (WHO) that they are safe.</p>
<p>"There is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products," the WHO said in a statement.</p>
<p><a href="/sites/default/files/documents/migrated/Letters%20to%20Russian%20Trade%20Officials.pdf" target="_top"><br />
Letters to Russian Trade Officials</a> (PDF)<a href="/sites/default/files/documents/migrated/Letter%20to%20Chinese%20Minister%20of%20Commerce.pdf" target="_top"><br />
Letter to Chinese Minister of Commerce</a> (PDF)</p>Press ReleasesChinaExportsGovernment InternationalProductsSafetyTradeWashingtonOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeFri, 01 May 2009 20:11:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11875 at http://www.commerce.govSecretary Locke Letters to Russian Trade Officials (PDF)http://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/01/secretary-locke-letters-russian-trade-officials-pdf
<a href="/sites/default/files/documents/migrated/Letters%20to%20Russian%20Trade%20Officials.pdf" title="Click to download the PDF">Secretary Locke Letters to Russian Trade Officials (PDF)</a>Press ReleasesTradeFri, 01 May 2009 20:07:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11876 at http://www.commerce.govSecretary Locke Letter to Chinese Minister of Commerce (PDF)http://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/01/secretary-locke-letter-chinese-minister-commerce-pdf
<a href="/sites/default/files/documents/migrated/Letter%20to%20Chinese%20Minister%20of%20Commerce.pdf" title="Click to download the PDF">Secretary Locke Letter to Chinese Minister of Commerce (PDF)</a>Press ReleasesFri, 01 May 2009 19:56:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11877 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Gary Locke Discusses Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombian Minister for Trade, Industry and Tourismhttp://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2009/05/01/commerce-secretary-gary-locke-discusses-trade-promotion-agreement-col
<div class="press-release-header">
<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p>
<p>Friday, May 1, 2009</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS</strong></p>
<p>202-482-4883</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Discusses Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombian Minister for Trade, Industry and Tourism</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted a meeting with Colombia&rsquo;s Minister for Trade, Industry and Tourism, Luis Guillermo Plata, at the Commerce Department today. This was the first meeting between Minister Plata and Secretary Locke.</p>
<p>Secretary Locke met with Minister Plata for thirty minutes. The Secretary and Minister Plata reaffirmed the commitment of both governments to move forward on progress towards the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. The two leaders also underscored the importance of building stronger business ties through activities like joint cooperation in trade capacity-building for small- and medium-sized enterprises and good governance programs.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Today&rsquo;s was an important first meeting and I look forward to working with Minister Plata to strengthen the U.S.-Colombian trading partnership,&rdquo; said Secretary Locke.</p>Press ReleasesBusiness ColombiaTourismTradeOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Gary LockeFri, 01 May 2009 19:49:00 +0000ksullivan@doc.gov11878 at http://www.commerce.gov